Fifteen scientifically recognized viruses that start with the letter “U” make up this comprehensive list. These viruses come from different parts of the world, many of them found in tropical regions and transmitted mainly by insects like mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies. Some infect humans causing mild to serious illnesses, while others only affect animals or insects. This variety shows the wide range of viruses beginning with “U” and highlights the importance of understanding each virus’s role in global health.
Below is the complete table listing these viruses and key facts about each.
Virus Name The official name of each virus, which helps identify it clearly and uniquely.
Classification The scientific family or group each virus belongs to, showing its genetic and biological relationships.
Affects Humans? Indicates whether the virus infects humans or if it mostly affects animals or insects.
Symptoms Common signs or illnesses caused by the virus in humans, if applicable, summarizing what to look out for.
Transmission Method How the virus spreads or moves from one host to another, such as through mosquitoes, ticks, or other means.
Descripción A brief explanation of the virus including its origin, how it behaves, and its impact on health and the environment.
Viruses that start with U
| Virus Name | Classification | Affects humans? | Symptoms | Transmission method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda S virus | Flavivirus, Flaviviridae | Yes | Fever, headache, muscle pain, rash, sometimes neurological complications. | Mosquitoes (Aedes species) |
| Umatilla virus | Orbivirus, Reoviridae | Unknown/Rarely reported | Few human cases documented, some reports suggest mild febrile illness. More commonly found in mosquitoes and birds. | Mosquitoes |
| Umbre virus | Orthobunyavirus, Peribunyaviridae | Yes | Febrile illness, headache, myalgia. | Mosquitoes (Aedes, Culex species) |
| Una virus | Alphavirus, Togaviridae | Yes | Febrile illness, headache, arthralgia (joint pain), rash. | Mosquitoes (Aedes, Culex, Mansonia species) |
| Uncompahgre virus | Orthobunyavirus, Peribunyaviridae | No known human cases | Primarily found in birds, no specific human symptoms identified. | Mosquitoes (Culex tarsalis) |
| Upolu virus | Orthobunyavirus, Peribunyaviridae | Yes | Febrile illness, headache, malaise. | Mosquitoes |
| Urabeparamyxovirus | Proposed genus within Paramyxoviridae | Unknown/Not primarily | Associated with bats, specific human symptoms unknown. | Likely direct contact with infected animals (bats) or their excretions. |
| Uranotaenia lowii totivirus | Totivirus, Totiviridae | No | Infects the mosquito Uranotaenia lowii; no known human symptoms. | Vertical transmission within the mosquito host. Not known to infect vertebrates. |
| Uranotaenia sapphirina densovirus | Densovirus, Parvoviridae | No | Infects the mosquito Uranotaenia sapphirina; no known human symptoms. | Vertical transmission within the mosquito host. Not known to infect vertebrates. |
| Urucuri virus | Orthobunyavirus, Peribunyaviridae | Yes | Febrile illness, headache, malaise. | Mosquitoes |
| Ustilago maydis virus H1 | Totivirus, Totiviridae | No | Infects the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis; no known human symptoms. | Vertical transmission within the fungal host. Not known to infect animals or humans. |
| Usutu virus | Flavivirus, Flaviviridae | Yes (rarely, often asymptomatic or mild) | Usually asymptomatic or mild febrile illness, headache, rash. Rarely, neuroinvasive disease. | Mosquitoes (Culex species), primarily from birds. |
| Utinga virus | Phlebovirus, Phenuiviridae | Yes | Febrile illness, headache, muscle pain. | Sandflies (Phlebotominae) |
| Uukuniemi virus | Uukuvirus, Phenuiviridae | Yes | Febrile illness, headache, malaise. Often mild or asymptomatic. Rarely, meningitis. | Ticks (Ixodes ricinus) |
| Uukuvirus | Genus within Phenuiviridae | Yes (as a genus, specific viruses within it affect humans) | Febrile illness, headache, malaise. | Ticks |
Descriptions
Uganda S virus
An arbovirus first isolated in Uganda, this Flavivirus can cause a febrile illness in humans. Symptoms are often general, similar to other mosquito-borne infections. Research continues to understand its full public health implications and distribution in affected regions.
Umatilla virus
An Orbivirus primarily found in Australia, circulating between mosquitoes and birds. While human cases are rarely reported and symptoms poorly defined, its ecological presence is well-documented. Its impact on human health is not yet fully understood.
Umbre virus
Discovered in Brazil, Umbre virus is an Orthobunyavirus transmitted by mosquitoes. It is associated with acute febrile illness in humans, although severe cases are uncommon. Its study contributes to understanding arboviral diversity in tropical environments.
Una virus
A South American Alphavirus, Una virus causes a febrile illness in humans, often accompanied by joint pain and rash. Transmitted by mosquitoes, it can sometimes be mistaken for other arboviral infections, highlighting the complexity of diagnosis in endemic areas.
Uncompahgre virus
This Orthobunyavirus, identified in the western United States, circulates between mosquitoes and birds. No human infections have been documented, suggesting a low or negligible public health risk. It exemplifies viruses primarily maintained within wildlife ecosystems.
Upolu virus
An Orthobunyavirus identified in Samoa, named after the island of Upolu. It is known to cause mild febrile illness in humans. Like many arboviruses, its transmission cycle involves mosquitoes and potentially other vertebrate hosts, contributing to regional disease ecology.
Urabeparamyxovirus
A proposed genus within the Paramyxoviridae family, identified in bats. While paramyxoviruses can affect various species, including humans, the specific impact and transmission of Urabeparamyxovirus on humans are not well-established, requiring further research into its zoonotic potential.
Uranotaenia lowii totivirus
This totivirus specifically infects the mosquito species Uranotaenia lowii. As an insect-specific virus, it is not known to replicate in or cause disease in humans or other vertebrates, focusing its life cycle exclusively within its mosquito host.
Uranotaenia sapphirina densovirus
A densovirus that infects the mosquito Uranotaenia sapphirina. Similar to other insect-specific viruses, it poses no direct threat to human health as it is not known to replicate in or be transmitted to humans or other vertebrates.
Urucuri virus
Isolated in Brazil, Urucuri virus is an Orthobunyavirus associated with human febrile illness. Although it’s considered a less common cause of disease than some other arboviruses, its presence highlights the rich diversity of viruses circulating in tropical areas.
Ustilago maydis virus H1
This virus infects the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis, which causes galls on corn plants. As a mycovirus (a virus that infects fungi), it has no known impact on human health or direct transmission to humans.
Usutu virus
A Flavivirus primarily affecting birds, Usutu virus is spreading across Europe. While human infections are often mild or asymptomatic, severe neurological cases can occur, especially in immunocompromised individuals. It serves as a zoonotic concern.
Utinga virus
A Phlebovirus found in South America, Utinga virus is transmitted by sandflies. It can cause febrile illness in humans, characterized by fever, headache, and muscle aches. It’s an example of a less commonly studied arbovirus transmitted by vectors other than mosquitoes.
Uukuniemi virus
A tick-borne Uukuvirus causing febrile illness, primarily in Northern Europe. Human infections are generally mild or asymptomatic, though some cases of meningitis have been reported. It is a well-studied example of a bunyavirus transmitted by ticks.
Uukuvirus
Uukuvirus is a genus of viruses within the Phenuiviridae family, primarily known for being tick-borne. Viruses in this genus, such as Uukuniemi virus, can cause febrile illnesses in humans, often characterized by headache and general malaise.